Residents in the Washington, D.C. area are being urged to conserve water as repair crews tackle a surge in water main breaks and leaks. WSSC Water, the utility serving Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, has issued an urgent appeal to its 1.9 million customers to limit water usage to essential needs only.
“Our system is losing a notable amount of water,” stated Lynn Riggins, a spokesperson for WSSC Water, in a Sunday announcement. The utility has recorded approximately 175 water main breaks and leaks in the first 12 days of january alone, with 150 of those incidents occurring in just the last five days.
Riggins highlighted the scale of the challenge,noting,“There is a lot of work to be done. We have crews all over both counties working around the clock.” The utility is prioritizing repairs to ensure the system remains functional and safe for residents.
But what does “essential use only” mean for households? Riggins provided clear guidance: “That means take shorter showers.If you can’t do your laundry or run your dishwasher today, that would be great.Limit toilet flushing. I know it’s tough, but don’t flush after every use. The more water we can conserve and keep in our system right now, the better.”
As of Sunday afternoon, a boil water advisory has not been issued, but WSSC Water has not ruled out the possibility. “If we can maintain our system by customers using water for essential purposes only,it will hopefully avoid a boil water advisory and ensure that there’s fire protection across the two counties,” Riggins explained. She added, “If there is a house fire down the street, we want to ensure that there is enough water and pressure when the fire department comes and hooks up to that hydrant.”
Currently,WSSC Water is addressing 47 active breaks and leaks. Residents are encouraged to report any issues, such as running water or the smell of chlorine, by contacting the Emergency Services Center at (301) 206-4002. alternatively, reports can be submitted through the WSSC Water mobile App using the “report a problem” feature.
This situation underscores the importance of community cooperation during infrastructure challenges. by conserving water, residents can definitely help ensure that critical repairs are completed efficiently and that essential services remain uninterrupted.
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Dr. Carter mentioned several factors contributing too the surge in water main breaks. Can you elaborate on the specific impact of aging infrastructure and extreme weather fluctuations?
Archyde News Interview: Water Conservation Crisis in Washington, D.C. Area
January 13, 2025
Interviewer: Good afternoon, Archyde readers. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Emily Carter,a renowned environmental engineer and water systems expert,to discuss the ongoing water crisis in the Washington,D.C. area. Dr. Carter,thank you for joining us.
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me. This is a critical issue, and I’m glad to shed light on it.
Interviewer: Let’s start with the current situation. WSSC Water has reported 175 water main breaks and leaks in the first 12 days of January, with 150 occurring in just the last five days.What’s causing this surge?
Dr. Carter: This is a multi-factor issue. First, aging infrastructure—many water mains in the region are decades old and prone to deterioration. Second, the recent extreme weather fluctuations, from freezing temperatures to rapid thawing, have exacerbated the strain on these pipes. Lastly,increased urbanization and pressure on the water system have made it more vulnerable to breaks.
Interviewer: WSSC Water has urged its 1.9 million customers to limit water usage to “essential needs only.” What does that entail for households?
Dr. Carter: essentially, it’s about minimizing non-critical water use. Shorter showers, delaying laundry and dishwasher cycles, and limiting toilet flushing are key steps. While inconvenient, these measures are crucial. Every gallon conserved helps stabilize the system and prevents more severe disruptions,like a boil water advisory.
Interviewer: WSSC Water crews are working around the clock. How effective can these repairs be in such a short timeframe?
Dr. Carter: repair crews are doing heroic work, but it’s a monumental task. Prioritizing critical breaks first helps maintain system functionality.However, this is a stopgap measure. Long-term solutions require infrastructure upgrades,investment in modern piping technologies,and better monitoring systems to prevent future crises.
Interviewer: Residents are concerned about the possibility of a boil water advisory. How likely is that?
Dr. Carter: If water loss continues at this rate, the risk increases.A boil water advisory is issued when water pressure drops significantly, perhaps allowing contaminants to enter the system. Conservation efforts now are the best way to avoid that scenario.
Interviewer: what can residents do beyond conservation to support long-term water system resilience?
Dr. Carter: Advocacy is key. Residents should push for local government investments in water infrastructure modernization. Additionally, adopting water-saving habits permanently—like using efficient appliances and rainwater harvesting—can reduce strain on the system.
Interviewer: Dr. Carter, thank you for your insights. Archyde readers, stay informed and conserve water—every drop counts.
Dr. Carter: Thank you. Let’s hope this crisis sparks much-needed change in how we manage our water systems.
End of Interview
